Canned milk server



Aug. 5, 1958 K. w. STREAN 2,846,120 CANNED MILK SERVER Filed July 17; 1956 Fig./

Kenneth W. .Sfrear; INVENTOR.

Ammqs United States Patent CANNED MILK SERVER Kenneth W. Strean, Colton, Oreg. Application July 17, 1956, Serial No. 598,444 2 Claims. (Cl. 222-86) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in milk and other can holders and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising novel means for expeditiously opening, venting and then conveniently pouring the contents of the cans.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned character comprising unique means for securing a full can in the holder and ejecting it therefrom when empty.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a can holder and dispenser or server of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of a milk can holder constructed in accordance with the present invention; and,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a cylindrical, substantially inverted cup-shaped container of suitable material which is designated generally by reference character 3. The container 3, which is open at its lower end and which comprises a rounded top 4, is of a size to receive a conventional milk or other can 5.

The top 4 of the container 3 is provided in the front and rear portions thereof with relatively large and small pouring and vent openings 6 and 7, respectively. Mounted on the top 4 and projecting upwardly and forwardly therefrom is a pouring spout 8 which is in communication with the opening 6. Depending from the top 4 in the container 3 is a tubular pouring punch 9 which is also in communication with the opening 6. The lower end portion of the pouring punch 9 is beveled to provide a point 10 for penetrating the top 11 of the can 5. A gasket or sealing ring 12 of suitable resilient material is mounted on the punch 9 and engageable on the top 11 of the can for preventing leakage around said punch.

Also depending from the top 4 of the container 3 is a tubular vent punch 13 which is in communication with the opening 7. The punch 13 terminates in a beveled lower end portion providing a point 14 for penetrating the can top 11. A gasket or sealing ring 15, similar to the element 12, is provided on the vent punch 13.

A substantially U-shaped handle 16 has one end pivotally secured, as indicated at 17, to the top 4 of the container 3 for vertical swinging movement on said container. Formed integrally with the pivoted end of the handle 16 is a cam 18 which is engageable with the 2,846,120 Patented Aug. 5, 1958 top 11 of the can 5 for ejecting said can from the container 3. A thumb screw 19 is journaled in the free end portion of the handle 16. The screw 19 is adapted to be threaded through an opening 20 provided therefor in the container 3 for detachably securing the free end of the handle 16 to said container. The screw 19 also is engageable with the can 5 for securing said can in the container 3.

It is thought that the operation or use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, with the full can 5 resting on a suitable support, the container 3 is slipped downwardly thereover, the punches 9 and 13 resting on the top 11 of said can. The container 3 is then forced downwardly on the can for causing the punches 9 and 13 to penetrate the top 11 thereof, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. The punches 9 and 13, in the embodiment shown, comprise enlarged upper end portions providing stop shoulders 21 which the sealing gaskets 12 and 15 abut. Thus, the top 4 of the container 3 is positively spaced a predetermined distance from the top 11 of the can 5. The screw 19 is then tightened in the opening 20 for securing the can 5 in position in the container 3. The lower end portions of the punches 9 and 13 comprise protuberances 22 and 23, respectively, which are frictionally engageable in the can for further securing said can in the container 3. The holder with the can 5 therein may now be lifted through the medium of the handle 16 and tilted in an obvious manner for pouring the milk through the spout 8. To remove the can 5 when empty, the screw 19 is backed out of the opening 20, thus freeing the handle 16. While holding the container 3 in one hand and gripping the handle 16 with the other hand, said handle is swung upwardly in the manner of a lever for engaging the cam 18 with the top 11 of the can 5 for forcing said can out of the container 3, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 of the drawing.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modification and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A milk can holder of the character described comprising: a substantially cylindrical container for the reception of a can, said container including a top and being open at its lower end, punches in the container depending from the top thereof at spaced points for penetrating the top of the can, a handle having one end pivotally secured to the upper portion of the container, means on the free end of the handle for releasably securing same to the container and for securing the can therein, and means on the pivoted end of the handle for ejecting the can from the container, said container having a threaded opening in its lower portion, said first-named means including a bolt journaled on the free end portion of the handle and adapted to be threaded through the opening for engagement with the can for securing said can in the container and for connecting the free end of the handle thereto.

2. A milk can holder of the character described comprising: a substantially cylindrical container for the reception of a can, said container including a top and being open at its lower end, punches in the container depending from the top thereof at spaced points for penetrating the top of the can, a handle having one end pivotally secured to the upper portion of the container, means on the free end of the handle for releasably securing same to the container and for securing the can therein, and

ice

means on the pivoted end of the handle for ejecting the can from the container, said container having a threaded opening in its lower portion, the first-named means including a screw journaled in the handle and adapted to be threaded through the opening for engagement with the can, the second-named means comprising a cam integral with the pivoted end of the handle and operable in the upper portion of the container for engagement with the top of the can.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Tieck Nov. 15, Nickels et a1. July 5, Searls Dec. 16, Churchill et a1. Dec. 26, Rudloff Oct. 11, 

